Greenleaf Fisk
Encyclopedia
Greenleaf Fisk was a pioneer, known as the Father of Brownwood, Texas. When a land and water dispute necessitated a new site for Brown County's seat of Brownwood, Fisk donated the land for the new location. He was a military veteran of the Texas Revolution
and was a member of the Republic of Texas
House of Representatives. Fisk was a chief justice when he lived in Bastrop, Texas
. When he relocated his family to Brown County
, he became a substantial land owner and served the people in several positions of local government. In 1968, the home of Greenleaf Fisk was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
, marker number 2273. February 25, 2004, the home was put on the list of Registered Historic Places in Texas, Ref # 4000103.
, May 19, 1807. His grandparents had emigrated to the United States
from England
. At the age of twelve, Fisk worked on a dairy farm in New Jersey
.
Fisk originally intended to enter the Presbyterian
ministry, and enrolled in Lane's Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio
. He furthered his education at Hanover College
in Indiana
.
in the community of Mina, which became the city of Bastrop
. There he met and married Mary Ann Manlove.
Fisk enlisted in the company of Mina Volunteers–forty-nine Bastrop County men with Capt. Jesse Billingsley, under Edward Burleson
. Fisk missed participation in the Battle of San Jacinto
that happened on April 21, 1836, due to the news of the defeat and death of James Fannin
at the Goliad massacre
on March 27, 1836. Upon hearing of the massacre, Burleson ordered several of the Mina Volunteers, including Fisk, home to Bastrop to care for their families. The remaining Burleson troops pressed on to San Jacinto without Fisk. In 1838, Fisk served one year as a legislator for the Republic of Texas
. Fisk became district court clerk in Bastrop, and in 1841 was county chief justice.
. On December 8, 1847, Fisk obtained a grant of 4,605.50 acres of the E.D. Prewitt survey, Abstract 741, Patent 159, in Brown County
. On June 7, 1848, Fisk obtained a grant of 1476.13 acres of the John Kellog survey, Abstract 578, Patent 478, in Brown County. On June 17, 1862, Fisk obtained a grant of 320 acres of the H. Upchurch survey, Abstract 925, Patent 589, in Brown County. On August 21, 1862, Fisk obtained a grant of 949.30 acres of the Taylor Smith survey, Abstract 821, Patent 63, in Brown County. On November 25, 1870, Fisk obtained a grant of 288 acres in the William S. Mitchell survey, Abstract 632, Patent 288, in Brown County. On December 1, 1877, Fisk obtained a grant of 320 acres in the Juan Armendaris survey, Abstract 1004, Patent 253, in Brown County.
In 1860, Fisk and his family moved to Brown County and constructed a log house east of what is now Brownwood. In time, Fisk would construct a home of native limestone and add a gristmill. That home has now been designated with historic markers, both state and national. Fisk wore many hats, as county judge, justice of the peace, county surveyor, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer, and teacher at Brownwood school, the county's first.
The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced to find a new location. Fisk donated sixty acres re-locate the county seat to the west side of the bayou, on what is now the current site of Brownwood, and one hundred additional acres for county use. The town was incorporated in 1884.
, with whom he had seven children. Manlove died in 1853. and is buried at Cashion-Fisk Cemetery in Williamson County
. The widower Fisk married Mary Pipers Hawkins, with whom he had eight children. The second Mrs. Fisk died in 1905 and is buried at Greenleaf Cemetery next to her husband.
Greenwood Fisk died on January 26, 1888, and is buried at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas. The day of his funeral at First Presbyterian Church of Brownwood, the entire town shut down in his honor. Two memorial centotaphs for Greenwood Fisk and his first wife Mary Manlove can be found side by side at Texas State Cemetery
, dedicated by the Fisk family on April 26, 2003.
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
and was a member of the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
House of Representatives. Fisk was a chief justice when he lived in Bastrop, Texas
Bastrop, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there are 5340 people in Bastrop, organized into 2034 households and 1336 families. The population density is 734.8 people per square mile . There are 2,239 housing units at an average density of 308.1 per square mile...
. When he relocated his family to Brown County
Brown County, Texas
Brown County is a county in West Central Texas. As of 2000, the population was 37,674. Its county seat is Brownwood. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco...
, he became a substantial land owner and served the people in several positions of local government. In 1968, the home of Greenleaf Fisk was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
, marker number 2273. February 25, 2004, the home was put on the list of Registered Historic Places in Texas, Ref # 4000103.
Early years
Greenleaf Fisk was born in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, May 19, 1807. His grandparents had emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. At the age of twelve, Fisk worked on a dairy farm in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Fisk originally intended to enter the Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
ministry, and enrolled in Lane's Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He furthered his education at Hanover College
Hanover College
Hanover College is a private liberal arts college, located in Hanover, Indiana, near the banks of the Ohio River. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . The college was founded in 1827 by the Rev. John Finley Crowe, making it the oldest private college in Indiana. The Hanover...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
Texas
In 1834, Fisk moved to Bastrop CountyBastrop County, Texas
Bastrop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2006, the population was 71,700. Its county seat is Bastrop. Bastrop County is named for Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop , an early Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F...
in the community of Mina, which became the city of Bastrop
Bastrop, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there are 5340 people in Bastrop, organized into 2034 households and 1336 families. The population density is 734.8 people per square mile . There are 2,239 housing units at an average density of 308.1 per square mile...
. There he met and married Mary Ann Manlove.
Fisk enlisted in the company of Mina Volunteers–forty-nine Bastrop County men with Capt. Jesse Billingsley, under Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas....
. Fisk missed participation in the Battle of San Jacinto
Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day Harris County, Texas, was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican forces in a fight that lasted just eighteen...
that happened on April 21, 1836, due to the news of the defeat and death of James Fannin
James Fannin
James Walker Fannin, Jr. was a 19th-century U.S. military figure on the Texas Army and leader during the Texas Revolution of 1835–36...
at the Goliad massacre
Goliad massacre
The Goliad Massacre was an execution of Republic of Texas soldiers and their commander, James Fannin, by Mexico, reluctantly carried out by General Jose de Urrea.-Background:...
on March 27, 1836. Upon hearing of the massacre, Burleson ordered several of the Mina Volunteers, including Fisk, home to Bastrop to care for their families. The remaining Burleson troops pressed on to San Jacinto without Fisk. In 1838, Fisk served one year as a legislator for the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. Fisk became district court clerk in Bastrop, and in 1841 was county chief justice.
Brown County
Fisk became a large landholder in Brown County, eventually owning over 9,000 acres. On November 18, 1847, Fisk obtained a grant of 1,240 acres of the Huling Markus survey, Abstract 405, Patent 150, in Brown CountyBrown County, Texas
Brown County is a county in West Central Texas. As of 2000, the population was 37,674. Its county seat is Brownwood. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco...
. On December 8, 1847, Fisk obtained a grant of 4,605.50 acres of the E.D. Prewitt survey, Abstract 741, Patent 159, in Brown County
Brown County, Texas
Brown County is a county in West Central Texas. As of 2000, the population was 37,674. Its county seat is Brownwood. Brown is named for Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco...
. On June 7, 1848, Fisk obtained a grant of 1476.13 acres of the John Kellog survey, Abstract 578, Patent 478, in Brown County. On June 17, 1862, Fisk obtained a grant of 320 acres of the H. Upchurch survey, Abstract 925, Patent 589, in Brown County. On August 21, 1862, Fisk obtained a grant of 949.30 acres of the Taylor Smith survey, Abstract 821, Patent 63, in Brown County. On November 25, 1870, Fisk obtained a grant of 288 acres in the William S. Mitchell survey, Abstract 632, Patent 288, in Brown County. On December 1, 1877, Fisk obtained a grant of 320 acres in the Juan Armendaris survey, Abstract 1004, Patent 253, in Brown County.
In 1860, Fisk and his family moved to Brown County and constructed a log house east of what is now Brownwood. In time, Fisk would construct a home of native limestone and add a gristmill. That home has now been designated with historic markers, both state and national. Fisk wore many hats, as county judge, justice of the peace, county surveyor, district clerk, county clerk, county treasurer, and teacher at Brownwood school, the county's first.
The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced to find a new location. Fisk donated sixty acres re-locate the county seat to the west side of the bayou, on what is now the current site of Brownwood, and one hundred additional acres for county use. The town was incorporated in 1884.
Personal life and death
Fisk married Mary Manlove, born in KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, with whom he had seven children. Manlove died in 1853. and is buried at Cashion-Fisk Cemetery in Williamson County
Williamson County
Williamson County is the name of three counties in the United States:* Williamson County, Illinois* Williamson County, Tennessee* Williamson County, Texas...
. The widower Fisk married Mary Pipers Hawkins, with whom he had eight children. The second Mrs. Fisk died in 1905 and is buried at Greenleaf Cemetery next to her husband.
Greenwood Fisk died on January 26, 1888, and is buried at Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood, Texas. The day of his funeral at First Presbyterian Church of Brownwood, the entire town shut down in his honor. Two memorial centotaphs for Greenwood Fisk and his first wife Mary Manlove can be found side by side at Texas State Cemetery
Texas State Cemetery
The Texas State Cemetery is a cemetery located on about just east of downtown Austin, the capital of Texas. Originally the burial place of Edward Burleson, Texas Revolutionary general and Vice-President of the Republic of Texas, it was expanded into a Confederate cemetery during the Civil War...
, dedicated by the Fisk family on April 26, 2003.